Do You Tip House Cleaners for a One-Time Cleaning?
One of the most common questions homeowners ask after a professional service is: “Should I tip my house cleaners?” While the cleaning industry is a service-based business, the rules for tipping are often less clear than they are at a restaurant or a salon.
Quick Answer: Tipping Is Optional, Not Required
At JAMA Cleaning, we want our clients to feel comfortable. Tipping is never a requirement, and it is not expected. Our professional teams are compensated to provide high-quality service regardless of whether a tip is provided.
Industry etiquette explained
In the home services industry, a tip is considered a “bonus” for a job well done. Unlike the hospitality industry where workers may rely on tips for a living wage, professional cleaning technicians are paid for their labor. However, a tip is always a gracious way to acknowledge hard work and attention to detail.
When Tipping Is Common
While optional, there are certain scenarios where homeowners often feel motivated to offer a gratuity.
Heavy-duty or deep cleanings
Deep cleanings or “Spring Cleanings” involve significantly more physical labor than a maintenance clean. If a team spends several hours scrubbing baseboards, inside ovens, and deep-cleaning grout, many clients choose to tip as a “thank you” for the extra elbow grease.
Exceptional service
If your cleaner went above and beyond—such as organizing a messy playroom you didn’t ask them to touch, or staying late to ensure a “move-out” clean was perfect for the new owners—a tip is a wonderful way to reward that initiative.
How Much Should You Tip?
If you’ve decided to tip, you might be wondering about the standard amount.
Percentage vs. flat amount
- Percentage: For a one-time service, 10% to 20% of the total bill is standard.
- Flat Amount: If you prefer a flat rate, $20 to $50 per cleaner is a very generous and common range for a deep clean.
Per cleaner vs. per team
If a team of two or three people cleaned your home, it is best to provide the tip individually or specify that the amount should be split among them. This ensures every person who worked on your home feels recognized.
Alternatives to Tipping
If a tip isn’t in your budget, or if you prefer to show appreciation in other ways, there are several gestures that are just as valuable to our business and our cleaners.
Online reviews
A 5-star review on Google or Yelp mentioning your cleaner by name is incredibly valuable. It helps our business grow and serves as a permanent “shout-out” to the technician’s hard work.
Referrals and repeat bookings
The highest compliment you can give is referring a friend or booking a recurring service. This provides our team with job security and a consistent schedule, which is often more appreciated than a one-time tip.
FAQs
Do you tip for move-out cleaning?
Because move-out cleanings are typically the most labor-intensive services we offer, tips are more common here than for a standard maintenance clean. However, the 10-20% rule still applies if you choose to give.
Should you tip the owner?
Generally, if the owner of the cleaning company is the one doing the work, a tip is not expected. Tips are usually reserved for employees of a company.
Is tipping expected every time?
No. Even for recurring clients, tipping every single visit is not the norm. Some clients prefer to give a larger “holiday bonus” at the end of the year equivalent to one cleaning session, rather than small tips throughout the year.